NAIROBI, Kenya – The Senate’s key watchdog committees have issued a stern warning to governors and county officials implicated in corruption, vowing to take decisive action against financial mismanagement in devolved units.
Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) Chairperson Moses Kajwang’and his counterpart in the Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, Godfrey Osotsi, made the declaration after their re-election to lead the powerful oversight panels.
Kajwang’ signaled an aggressive approach in tackling graft, emphasizing that his committee will be unrelenting in holding county executives accountable for public funds.
“We are going to crack down on thieves in the counties. Governors and officials misusing public resources should brace for serious scrutiny,” he said.
The committees also revealed plans to sidestep a court ruling that restricts Parliament from reviewing audit reports more than three months after their submission by the Auditor General.
Kajwang’ said they would consolidate all pending reports into one motion and push for dedicated House debate time to ensure a comprehensive review and necessary action.
“We will bring all reports to the House in one motion and request the House Business Committee to allocate even a full week for debate. The House will make recommendations, and CPAC will summon governors to respond,” he explained.
Additionally, the oversight committee plans to engage the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in efforts to fast-track investigations into corruption cases.
Kajwang’ lamented that despite forwarding over 100 cases of financial mismanagement to the commission, little action has been taken.
